Cleaning apparatus



Dec. 5, 1961 B. RAND 3,011,500

CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a INVENTOR. 44BURTON RAND ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 B. RAND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

IN V EN TOR. eumou RAND BY ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 B. RAND CLEANINGAPPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet s Filed July 15, 1959 m R m ATTORNEY 3,011,500Patented Dec. 5, 1961 ice j 3,011,500 CLEANING APPARATUS Burton Rand,Bala Cynwyd, Pa., assignor to Autosonics Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 15, 1959, Ser. No. 827,321

16 Claims. (Cl. 134- 69) The present invention relates to cleaningapparatus, and more particularly to cleaning apparatus for removinggrease and hydrocarbon deposits plus associated dirt or soil frommachine parts by treatment with solvents such as chlorinatedhydrocarbons, such as trichlorethylene or the like. Y

The satisfactory and rapid cleaning of small machined parts, as forexample small machined parts which have been buffed, lapped, ground, orthe like presents a most difficult problem. Experience has shown thatnotwithstanding repeated submergence in solvents effected byconventional cleaning equipment, an appreciable amount of contaminate inthe nature of adhering dirt or the like remains with the machined parts,particularly in the hollows of interstices thereof. This, of course, ismost undesirable, since the presence of contaminate adversely alfectsthe machined parts. In particular, if such machined parts are utilizedwhere close tolerances are required, the presence of adheringcontaminate constitutes a most serious problem.

Heretofore, such small machined parts have been generally cleaned by abatch process. That is, the machined parts are discharged from theprocessing machine into a container. When the container is filled, it ismanually carried to a centrally located cleaning machine. This batchmethod of cleaning small machined parts not only requires additionalhandling of the machined parts,'but is also time consuming. Therefore,it would be most desirable to have a cleaning apparatus which wouldreceive the machined parts directly. from the processing machine, andwill continuously clean the machined parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel cleaningapparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cleaningapparatus which-is capable of achieving a high degree of cleaning at ahigh cleaning rate with small machined parts.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a light,easily transportable cleaning apparatus for small machined parts of highefiiciency, and yet of relatively low cost to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cleaningapparatus for small machined parts which can receive the machined partsdirectly from a processing machine, and will continuously clean themachined parts.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in thedrawings a 'form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this'inventionis not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters referto likeparts:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the cleaningapparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1. I j

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the overflow tube of the cleaningapparatus of the present invention.

1 The cleaning apparatus of the present invention is generallydesignated as 10. Cleaning apparatus comprises an upright housing 12which includes a cleaning section 14, and a solvent distillation section16.

Referring initially to the cleaning section 14, the inlet 18 for thecleaning section 14 comprises a chute into which the machined partshaving adhering contaminate are fed, such machined parts descendingthrough such inlet 18 by gravity.

The inlet chute 18 passes through the wall 20 of housing 12. Within thecleaning section 14, the inlet chute 18 extends downwardly and angularlyaway from the wall 20 to a point within and adjacent to the innervperiphery of the conveyor Wheel 22. The end portion 18a of the inletchute 18 extends substantially verticallydownwardly through the mainbath of chlorinated hydrocarbon (designated B) to the inner periphery ofthe conveyor wheel 22. A layer of water (designated W) is superposedabove the portion of the main bath B within the end portion 18a of theinlet chute 18. The layer of water W provides a water seal and reducesthe .loss of wall 26 is spaced radially inwardly from the outer edges ofthe side walls 24. A plurality of circumferentially spaced bafiles 28are secured between the side walls 24 within the outer wall 26(seeFIGURE 2). Bafiles 28 extend inwardly from the outer wall 26 at an angleto the radius of the conveyor Wheel 22 in the direction of the directionof rotation of the conveyor wheel 22. Thus, upon rotation of theconveyor wheel 22, as the baflles 28 reach the outlet end of the inletchute 18, the bafiles 28 are at an angle to catch the machined partsdropping from the chute 18 and direct the machined parts outwardly tothe outer wall 26. The outerwall 26 is preferably formed of wire mesh.The side walls 24 may be also formed of wire mesh or of sheet metal.

Conveyor wheel 22 is supported in an upright position for rotation abouta horizontal axis by an endless belt 30 which extends around the outersurface of t e outer wall 26 between the side walls 24. Endless belt 30extends upwardly from the conveyor wheel 22, and passes over a pulley 32mounted on a shaft 34. Shaft 34 extends across the housing 12 adjacentthe top wall 36 of the housing 12, and is rotatably supported in bear--ings 38 and 40 mounted on the walls 20 and 42 respectively of thehousing 12. Thus, the conveyor wheel 22 is supported from the shaft 34by the endless belt 30 Endless belt 30 is of a length so that slightlyless than one-half of the conveyor wheel 22 is immersed in the main bathB. The main bath B extends down to the basal floor 44 of the cleaningsection 14 of housing 12, the entire bottom of the cleaning section 14being occupied by the bath B for maximum solvent inventory.

The conveyor wheel 22 is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 46. Eachpair of guide rollers 46 is mountedon a shaft 48. Each shaft 48 isrotatably supported in bearings 50 and 52 which are mounted on the wall20 and wall 54 respectively. Each of the rollers 46 has an annulargroove 56 in its outer pheriphery in which the outer peripheral edge ofa side wall 24 of the conveyorwheel 22 is guided. Thus, the rollers 46guide the conveyor wheel 22 during the rotation of the conveyor wheel22, and prevent axial movement of the conveyor wheel 22.

As shown in FIGURE 2, means for introducing vibration of ultrasonicfrequency, designated 58, is disposed within the main bath B andadjacent the conveyor wheel 22. The vibration inducing means 58 ismounted on a channel bracket 60 which is secured between the wall 20 andthe wall 54. Such means 58 may comprise piezoceramic transducers ofconventional construction. For

example, such piezoceramic transducers may be molded or otherwisefashioned from ceramic material, such as barium titanate or the like,having piezoelectric properties. Such piezoelectric transducers arepreferably provided with silver coatings in the form of electrodes. Asillustrative of suitable piezoceramic transducers may be mentionedtransducers of the type disclosed in Kearney Patent 2,802,476, issuedAugust 13, 1957. However, it is to be understood that in place of thepiezoceramic transducers above-mentioned, other means for generating orinducing high frequency ultrasonic vibrations with the bath, whoseconstruction is well known to those skilled in the art, may be used forthe means designated 58.

A U-shaped trough 62 is secured between the walls 64 and 66 of thehousing 12. The trough 62 extends parallel to the conveyor wheel 22, andis positioned between the conveyor wheel 22 and the solvent distillationsection 16 of the housing 12. The trough 62 comprises a floor 68, whichis spaced above the floor 44 of the cleaning section 14 of the housing12, the upright wall 54, and upright wall 70. The uprightwalls 54 and 70of the trough 62 extend vertically above the level of the main bath B,and the upright wall 70 is higher than the upright Wall 54. The trough62 contains the rinse bath R which comprises the identical chlorinatedhydrocarbon solvent used in the main bath B. However, the chlorinatedhydrocarbon solvent Within rinse bath R is appreciably cleaner than thechlorinated hydrocarbon solvent which forms the main bath B.

A conveyor wheel 72 is supported within the trough 62 for rotation abouta horizontal axis by an endless belt 74. Conveyor Wheel 72 is identicalin construction to the conveyor wheel 22. Endless belt 74 extends aroundthe outer surface of the outer wall 76 of the conveyor wheel 72 betweenthe side walls 78 of the conveyor wheel 72. Endless belt 74 extendsupwardly from the conveyor wheel 72, and extends around a pulley 88mounted on the shaft 34. Thus, the conveyor wheel 72 is supported fromthe shaft 34 by the endless belt 74 for rotation simultaneously with theconveyor wheel 22. Endless belt 74 is of a length so that less than halfof the conveyor wheel 72 is emersed in the rinse bath R. Since, as shownin FIGURE 1, the liquid level of the rinse bath R is higherthan theliquid level of the main bath B, the axis of rotation of the conveyorWheel 72 is vertically higher than the axis of rotation of theconveyor'wheel 22.

Conveyor wheel 72 is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 82. Each pairof the guide rollers 82 are mounted on a shaft 84. Each of the shafts 84is rotatably supported in bearings 86 and 88 which are mounted on thewalls 54 and 70 respectively of the trough 62. Each of the rollers 82has an annular groove 90* in its outer periphery in which the outerperipheral edge of a side wall 78 of the conveyor wheel 72 is guided.Thus, the guide rollers 82 guide the conveyor wheel 72 during therotation of the conveyor wheel 72, and prevent axial movement of theconveyor wheel 72.

A transfer chute 92 extends downwardly from the inner periphery of theconveyor wheel 22 to the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 72 totransfer the cleaned machined parts from the conveyor wheel 22 to theconveyor wheel 72. The inlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92 ispositioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 22 at apoint substantially diametrically opposite to the outlet end of theinlet chute 18. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 2, upon the rotation of theconveyor wheel 22, as the baflles 28 of the conveyor wheel 22 reach theinlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92, the baflles 28 are angleddownwardly to permit the machined parts to fall from the conveyor wheel22 onto the transfer chute 92. The outlet end 92b of the transfer chute92 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 72at a' point corresponding to the position of the outlet end of the inletchute 18 with respect to the conveyor wheel 22.

Thus, upon the rotation of the conveyor wheel 72, as the baffles, notshown, of the conveyor wheel 72 reach the outlet end 92b of the transferchute 92, the baffles of the conveyor wheel 72 are angled upwardly tocatch the machined parts descending the transfer chute 92, and guide themachined parts to the outer wall 76 of the conveyor wheel 72. j g

A floor 94 extends horizontally between the walls 64 and 66 of thehousing 12, and between the wall 70 of the trough 62 and the Wall 96.Floor 94 is spaced vertically above the floor 68 of the trough 62. Thetrough formed by the wall 70, floor 94, and wall 96 forms a dryingchamber, designated as D.

A conveyor wheel 98 is supported in the drying chamber D for rotationabout a horizontal axis by an endless belt 108. Conveyor Wheel 98 is ofa construction identical to the conveyor wheels 22 and 72. Endless belt100 extends around the outer surface of the outer wall 102 of theconveyor wheel 98 between the side walls 104 of the conveyor wheel 98.The endless belt 100 extends upwardly from the conveyor Wheel 98, andextends around a pulley 106 mounted on the shaft 34. Thus, the conveyorwheel '98 is supported from the shaft 3 4 by the endless belt 100 forrotation simultaneously with the conveyor wheels 22 and 72. The axis ofrotation of the conveyor wheel 98 is vertically higher than the axis ofrotation of the conveyor wheel 72.

Conveyor wheel 98 .is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 108. Eachpair of the guide rollers 108 is mounted on a shaft 110. Each of theshafts 110 is rotatably supported in bearings i112 and 114 which aremounted on the walls 78 and 96 respectively. Each of the guide rollers108 has an annular groove 116 in its outer periphery in which the outerperipheral edge of a side wall 104 of the conveyor wheel 98 is guided.Thus, the guide rollers 108 guide the conveyor wheel 98 during therotation of the conveyor wheel 98, and prevent axial movement of theconveyor wheel 98.

A transfer chute 118 extends downwardly from the inner periphery of theconveyor wheel 72 to the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 98. Theinlet end 118a of the transfer chute 118 is positoned adjacent the innerperiphery of the conveyor wheel 72 at a point diametrically opposite tothe outlet end 92b of the transfer chute 92. Thus, the inlet end 118a ofthe transfer chute 118 is in a position to receive the machined partsdischarged from the conveyor wheel 72. The outlet end 11% of thetransfer chute 118 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of theconveyor wheel 98 at a point corresponding to the position of the outletend of inlet chute 118 with respect to the conveyor wheel 22. Thus, theoutlet end 11% of the transfer chute 118 is in a position to dischargethe machined parts descending through the transfer chute 118 onto thebattles, not shown, of the conveyor wheel 98.

The solvent distillation section 16 of the housing 12 comprises a vaporgenerator chamber 120, and a second drying chamber 122.

The second drying chamber 122 is formed intermediate the walls 42 and124, the floor 126, andthe top wall 36 of the housing 12. The wall 124of the drying chamber 122 is spaced from the wall 96 of the solventdistillation section 16, and the floor 126 of the drying chamber 122 isspaced above the basal floor 128 of the solvent distillation section 16.A conveyor wheel 130 is sup-.

ported within the second drying chamber 122 for rotation about ahorizontal axis by an endless belt 132. Conveyor wheel 130 is of aconstruction identical to the conveyor wheels 22, 72, and 98. Endlessbelt 132 extends around the outer surface of the outer wall 134 of theconveyor wheel 130 between the side walls 136 of the conveyor wheel 130.Endless belt 132 extends upwardly from the conveyor wheel 130, andextends around a pulley 138 mounted on the shaft 34. Thus, the conveyorwheel 138 issupported from the shaft 34 by the endless belt 132 forrotation simultaneously with the conveyor wheels 22, 72, and 98.

The conveyor wheel 130 is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 140. Eachpair of the guide rollers 140 is mounted on a shaft 142. Each of theshafts 142 is rotatably supported in bearings 144 and 146 which aremounted on the wall 124 and a wall 148 respectively. Each of the guiderollers 140 has an annular groove 150 in its outer periphery in whichthe outer peripheral edge of a side wall 136 of the conveyor wheel 130is guided. Thus, the guide rollers 140 guide the conveyor wheel 130during the rotation of the conveyor wheel 130, and prevent axialmovement of the conveyor wheel 130. A wire mesh screen 152 is securedbetween the wall 124 and the wall 148 beneath the conveyor Wheel 130.

A transfer chute 154 extends downwardly from the inner periphery of theconveyor wheel 98 through the vapor generator chamber 120 to the innerperiphery of the conveyor wheel 130. The inlet end 154a of the transferchute 154 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyorwheel 98 diametrically opposite the outlet end 118b of the transferchute 118. Thus, the inlet end 154a of the transfer chute 154 ispositioned to receive the machined parts discharged from the conveyorwheel 98. The outlet end 154b of the transfer chute 154 is positionedadjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 130 at a pointcorresponding to the position of the outlet end of the inlet chute 18with respect to the conveyor wheel 22. Thus, the outlet end 154b of thetransfer chute 154 is positioned to discharge the machined partsdescending through the transfer chute 154 onto the baffies, not. shown,of the conveyor wheel 130.

An outlet chute 156 for the cleaning apparatus extends downwardly fromthe inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 130 through the'wall 148 andwall 42 of the housing 12. The inlet end 156a of the outlet chute 156 ispositioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 130diametrically opposite the outlet end 154b of the transfer chute 154.Thus, the inlet end 156a of the outlet chute 156 is positioned toreceive the machined par-ts discharged from the conveyor wheel 130.

The vapor generator chamber 120 is formed intermediate the walls 96,124, and 42, the floors 128 and 126, and the top wall 36 of the housing12. A pressure relief port 158 extends intermediate the vapor generatingchamber 120 and the cleaning section 14 through the upper portion of thewall 96. Heater means 160 is provided at the bottom of the vaporgenerator chamber 120. .Such heater means 160 comprises conventionalmeans for disseminating heat, and serves to heat the liquid inventory ofthe vapor generator chamber 120.

Refrigeration means comprising a standard coolant gas compressor 162, amotor 164 for operating the compressor 162, and an evaporator 166 ismounted on the wall 66 of the casing 12. A wide variety of refrigerationmeans may be utilized including those which deliver aqueousbrinecoolant, and those which deliver coolant gases. Alternatively, coldtap water may be used for refrigeration draining to a sewer.

Therefrigerant fluid from the evaporator 166 is passed therefrom throughduct 168 into the coil 170 which extends along opposite sides of thewall 96. The'coil 170'serves to cool the wall 96, whereby such wall 96serves as a condenser onto which ,volatized liquid may be condensed. Inaddition, the cool wall 96 serves to cool the drying chamber portion ofthe cleaning apparatus 10 which is adjacent the wall 96. The return endof the coil 170 is connected to the condenser 162 through a duct 172. g

A condensate collecting trough l74extends along the side of the wall 96within the vapor generator chamber 120 beneath the cooling coil 170. Thecondensate collecting trough 174 is tilted to provide a low point. Aduct 176 extends downwardly from the lowpoint of the condensatecollecting trough 174 across the drying chamber D, through the wall 70of the rinse trough 62, and into the rinse bath R.

The level of liquid within the rinse bath R in the rinse trough 62 iscontrolled by an overflow pipe 178, which also controls the pipe of themain bath B. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the inlet end of the overflowpipe 178 extends through the wall 54 of the rinse trough 62 at the levelof the liquid of the rinse bath R. The overflow pipe 178 extendsdownwardly along the outer side of the Wall 54 to the level of theliquid of the main bath B. At the point of the level of the liquid ofthe main bath B, the overflow pipe 178 has an aperture v180 therethroughby which the level of themain bath B is controlled. The overflow pipe178 then extends back through the wall 54, and downwardly across therinse trough 62, across the bottom of the drying chamber D, and throughthe Wall 96 into the vapor generator chamber 120. The outlet end of theoverflow pipe 178, which is within the vapor generator chamber 120, isprovided with a U-shaped trap 182 to prevent the vapors within the vaporgenerator chamber 120 from passing up through the overflow pipe 178.

A drain pipe 184 extends downwardly from the bottom of the second dryingchamber 122 into the vapor generator chamber 120. Drain pipe 184 isprovided with a U-shaped trap 186 to prevent the vapors in the vaporgenerator chamber 120 from passing through the drain pipe 184 into thedrying chamber 122. A similar drain pipe, not shown, is provided fromthe bottom of the drying chamber D into the vapor generator chamber 120.

The shaft 34 is driven by an electric motor 188 mounted on the top wall36 of the housing 12. A gear 190 mount ed on the motor shaft 192, mesheswith a gear 194 mounted on the shaft 34 to drivingly connect the motor188 to the shaft 34.

The cleaning section 14 of the housing 12 includes a vertical wall 196extending between the floor 44 and the floor 94 of the drying chamber D.The wall 196 is spaced from the wall 96, and forms one wall of thereservoir for the main bath B. The air space between the wall 196 andthe wall 96 thermally insulates the main bath B from the vapor generatorchamber 120 whereby flashing of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent isprevented.

The operation of the cleaning apparatus 10 of the present invention isas follows: I

The electric motor 188 is turned on to rotate the shaft 34, and therebyrotate the conveyor wheels 22, 72, 98, and 130. Machined parts bearingan adhering contaminant are introduced into the cleaning apparatus 10through the inlet chute 18. The machined parts descend the inlet chute18 to the conveyor wheel 22. During the descent the machined parts passthrough the water seal W, which is the water level on top of the mainbath B of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the inlet chute 18, andwhich water seal serves to prevent the volatilization of the chlorinatedhydrocarbon solvent from the main bath B. As used hereinafter, the termsolvent inventory should be interpreted as meaning the quantity ofchlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the main bath B.

The machined parts are fed from the inlet chute 18 onto the bafiles 28of the rotating conveyor wheel 22. Since the baffles 28 are inclineddownwardly when they are adjacent the outlet end of the inlet chute 18,the baffles 28 guide the machined parts to the outer wall 26 of theconveyor wheel 22. The machined parts are then carried by the conveyorwheel 22through the main bath B. Since at least the outer wall 26 of theconveyor wheel 22 is formed of wire mesh, the liquid of the main bath Bfills the chambers of the conveyor wheel 22 between the baffles 28 sothat the machined parts are completely immersed in the main bath B.

As the machined parts are carried by-the conveyor wheel 22 past themeans for inducing vibrations of ultrasonic frequency 58, such parts aresubjected to ultrasonic cleaning and the conveyor wheel 22 and its belt30 are likewise kept free of sludge and carbon. This facilitates in theremoval of adhering contaminant which is disposed within interstices,and voids within the machined parts. The conveyor arrangement shown inthe drawings effects cleaning and draining of blind holes on therotation of the conveyor wheel 22.

After being ultrasonically cleaned, the machined parts are carried bythe conveyor wheel 22 out of the main bath B to the inlet end 92:: ofthe transfer chute 92. When the baflles 28 of the conveyor wheel 22reacha position above the inlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92, the baflles28 are angled downwardly away from the outer wall 26 of the conveyorwheel 22 so that the machined parts fall from the conveyor wheel 22 ontothe inlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92. The machined parts thendescend the transfer chute 92 to the conveyor wheel 72.

The machined parts are fed from the transfer chute 92 into the conveyorwheel 72 in the same manner as the machined parts were fed from theinlet chute 18 into the conveyor wheel 22. The conveyor wheel 72 carriesthe machined parts through the rinse bath R. The rinse bath R compriseschlorinated hydrocarbon solvent which is considerably cleaner than thesolvent inventory of the main bath B so that rinsing of the cleanedparts is effected within the rinse bath R. The conveyor wheel 72 carriesthe machined parts from the rinse bath R to the inlet end 118a of thetransfer chute 118 where the machined parts are transferred from theconveyor wheel 72 to the transfer chute 118.

The machined parts descend the transfer chute 118 to the conveyor wheel98 where the machined parts are fed into the conveyor wheel 98. Conveyorwheel 98 carries the machined parts through the drying chamber D wherethe solvent is drained and evaporated from the machined parts. Thesolvent drained from the machined parts in the conveyor wheel 98 passesthrough the wire mesh outer wall 182 of the conveyor wheel 98, and iscollected on the floor 94 of the drying chamber D. The solvent collectedon the floor 94 of the drying chamber D passes from the drying chamberinto the vapor generator chamber 120 through the drain pipe, not shown.

After passing through-the drying chamber D, the machined parts aretransferred from the conveyor wheel 98 to the transfer chute 154. Themachined parts descend the transfer chute 154 to the conveyor wheel 130.The conveyor wheel 130 carries the machined parts through the seconddrying chamber 122 to obtain a complete drying of the machined parts.Any solvent which may drain from the machined parts in the conveyorwheel 136 passes through the wire mesh outer wall 134 of the conveyorwheel 130, and is collected on the floor 126 of the second dryingchamber 122. The solvent collected on the floor 126 is drained from thesecond drying chamber 122 to the vapor generator chamber 120 through thedrain pipe 184.

After passing through the second drying chamber 122, the machined partsare transferred from the conveyor wheel 130 onto the outlet chute 156which carries the machined parts from the cleaning machine 10.

Within the vapor generator chamber 120, chlorinated hydrocarbon solventis distilled off from the bottom of the chamber by heater 160. Thevaporized chlorinated hydrocarbon condenses on the wall 96 which iscooled by the cooling coil 170. The-condensate flows down the wall 96and is collected in the condensate collecting trough 174. The collectedcondensate leaves the trough 174 as cooled liquid through the duct 176.The duct 176 carries the condensate to the rinse bath R within thetrough 62.

The level of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the rinse bath Ris maintained at a constant height by the overflow pipe 178. Thus,overflow from the rinse bath R leaves through the overflow pipe 178 andis carried back into the vapor generator chamber 120. The overflow pipe178 also maintains the level of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solventwithin the main bath B at a constant height. If the level of the solventof the main bath B drops below the level of the opening in the overflowpipe 178, the overflow from the rinse bath R passing through theoverflow pipe 178 flows through the opening 180 to raise the level ofthe main bath B back to the level of the opening 186. If the level ofthe main bath B becomes higher than the level of the opening 180, theexcess solvent of the main bath B will flow through the opening 180 intothe overflow pipe 178, and will be carried back to the vapor generatorchamber 120.

Gradually as the cleaning apparatus 10 is utilized, there is a build-upof contaminant within the main bath B, and it will become necessary toclose the cleaning apparatus down and drain away the solvent inventory.The solvent may be drained from the main bath B through a door 198. 1

Since the cleaning apparatus 10 of the present inven tion is compact,and relatively small in size, the cleaning apparatus 10 can be placednext to a processing machine so that the small machined parts can bedischarged from the processing machine directly into the inlet chute 18of the cleaning apparatus 10. Thus, the cleaning apparatus 10 of thepresentinvention can continuously clean the small machined parts as theyare received directly from the processing machine.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationSerial No. 705,876, filed on December 30, 1957.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

1 claim:

1. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts including a cleaningsection and a solvent distillation section, a party wall intermediatesaid cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sumpdisposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, a rinse troughextending across said cleaning section adjacent said bath I sump, adrying chamber extending across said cleaning section adjacent saidrinse trough, a plurality of annular conveyor wheels supported inparallel relation within said cleaning section for rotation abouthorizontal axes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through said bathsump, a second of said conveyor wheels passing through said rinsetrough, the third of said conveyor wheels passing through said dryingchamber, an inlet means for feeding machined parts to said one conveyorwheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said one conveyorwheel to said second conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machinedparts from said second conveyor wheel to said third conveyor wheel,means for transferring the machined parts from the third conveyor wheelthrough said party wall and depositing said machined parts on a supportin said distillation section, means for transferring said parts fromsaid support and delivering the parts to an outlet means, a rotatableshaft extending across the top of the cleaning section above theconveyor wheels and parallel to the axes of rotation of the conveyorwheels, and means for individually supporting each of said conveyorwheels from said shaft so that rotationof said shaft simultaneouslyrotates all of said conveyor wheels.

2. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the meansindividually supporting each of the conveyor wheels from the shaftcomprises a separate endless belt extending around a conveyor wheel andsaid shaft.

3. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts including a cleaningsection and a solvent distillation section, a party wall intermediatesaid cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sumpdisposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, a rinse troughextending across said cleaning section adjacent said bath sump, a dryingchamber extending across said cleaning section adjacent said rinsetrough, a plurality of annular conveyor wheels supported in parallelrelation within said cleaning section for rotation about horizontalaxes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through said bath sump, asecond of said conveyor wheels passing through said rinse trough, athird of said conveyor wheels passing through said drying chamber, aninlet means for feeding machined parts to said one conveyor wheel, meansfor transferring the machined parts from said one conveyor Wheel to saidsecond conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts fromsaid second conveyor wheel to said third conveyor wheel, means fortransferring the machined parts from the conveyor wheel through saidparty wall and depositing said machined parts on a support in saiddistillation section, means for transferring said parts from saidsupport and delivering the parts to an outlet means, eaeh of theconveyor wheels comprises a pair of flat annular side walls in spacedparallel relation, a cylindrical outer wall connected between said sidewalls adjacent the outer peripheries of said side walls, and a pluralityof circumferentially spaced baffles connected between said side wallsand extending inwardly from said outer wall.

4. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the bafiies ofeach of the conveyor wheels extend inwardly from the outer wall at anangle to the radius of the conveyor wheel in the direction of thedirection of rotation of the conveyor wheel.

5. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the outer wallof each of the conveyor wheels is formed of wire mesh.

6. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including a rotatableshaft extending across the top of the cleaning section above theconveyor wheels and parallel to the axes of rotation of the conveyorwheels, and a separate endless belt extending around the outer surfaceof the outer wall of each said conveyor wheels, each of said endlessbelts extending around said shaft to support said conveyor wheels fromsaid shaft for rotation with said shaft.

7. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which each of theconveyor wheels is seated on rotatably supported guide rollers, saidguide rollers preventing axial movement of said conveyor wheels.

8; Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the inletmeans for feeding the machined parts to said one conveyor wheelcomprises a chute extending downwardly into the cleaning section to theinner periphery of said one conveyor wheel, the means for transferringthe machined parts from said one conveyor wheel to the second conveyorwheel comprises a chute extending downwardly from the inner periphery ofsaid one conveyor wheel to the inner periphery of said second conveyorwheel, the means for transferring the machined parts from the secondconveyor wheel to the third conveyor wheel comprises a chute extendingdownwardly from the inner periphery of said second conveyor wheel to theinner periphery of said third conveyor wheel, and the outlet means fortransferring the machined parts from the third conveyor wheel comprisesa chute extending downwardly out of the cleaning section from the innerperiphery of said third conveyor wheel.

9. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which the lowermostend of the inlet chute and each of the transverse chutes is positionedadjacent the inner periphery of its respective conveyor wheel at a pointwhere the bafiies of the conveyor wheels are angled downwardly away fromthe chutes so that the machined parts descending the chutes are fed ontothe baffles, and the uppermost end of each of the transverse chutes andthe outlet chute are positioned adjacent the inner periphery of itsrespective conveyor wheel substantially diametrically opposite to theend of the chaute feeding the machined parts to its respective conveyorwheel.

10. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the bath sumpincludes means for inducing vibrations of ultrasonic frequency spacedfrom the one conveyor wheel. i

11. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts including acleaning section and a solvent distillation section, a party wallintermediate said cleaning section and said solvent distillationsection, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, arinse trough extending across said cleaning section adjacent said bathsump, a drying chamber extending across said cleaning section adjacentsaid rinse trough, a plurality of annular conveyor wheels supported inparallel relation within said cleaning section for rotation abouthorizontal axes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through said bathsump, a second of saidconveyor wheels passing through said rinse trough,a third of said conveyor wheels passing through said drying chamber, aninlet means for feeding machinedpa-rts to said one conveyor wheel, meansfor transferring the machined parts from said one conveyor wheel to saidsecond conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts fromsaid second conveyor wheel to said third conveyor wheel, means fortransferring the machined parts from the conveyor wheel through saidparty wall and depositing said machined parts on a support in saiddistillation section, means for transferring said parts from saidsupport and delivering the parts to an outlet means, means at the baseof the solvent distillation section for volatilizing solvent, meanswithin the solvent distillation section for condensing solvent, andmeans for carrying the condensed solvent to the rinse trough.

12. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the meansfor condensing the solvent comprises a cooling coil on the party wallintermediate the cleaning section and the solvent distillation section,and the means for carrying the condensed solvent to the rinse troughcomprises a collecting trough extending across said party wall beneathsaid cooling coil, and a duct extending between said collecting troughand said rinse trough.

13. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in I which anoverflow pipe extends downwardly from said rinse trough into the bathsump and then to the solvent distillation section, said overflow pipeincluding an opening within said bath sump whereby the level of liquidin said bath sump is maintained below the level of liquid in said rinsetrough.

14. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts comprising ahousing having a cleaning section, a solvent distillation section and aparty wall intermediate said cleaning section and said solventdistillation section, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of saidcleaning section, a rinse trough extending across said cleaning sectionadjacent said bath sump, a drying chamber extending across said cleaningsection adjacent said rinse trough, three annular conveyor wheelssupported in parallel relation within said cleaning section for rotationabout horizontal axes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through saidbath sump, the second of said conveyor wheels passing through said rinsetrough, the third of said conveyor wheels passing through said dryingchamber, a vapor generator chamber in said solvent distillation sectionadjacent said party wall, a second drying chamber in said solventdistillation section spaced from said party wall by said vapor generatorchamber, a conveyor wheel rotatably supported in said second dryingchamber parallel to said three conveyor wheels, an inlet means forfeeding machined parts to the bath sump conveyor Wheel, means fortransferring the machined parts from said bath sump conveyor wheel tothe rinse through conveyor wheel, means i for transferring the machinedparts from the rinse trough conveyor wheel to the first drying chamberconveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from the firstdrying chamber conveyor wheel through said party 11 the vapor generatorchamber for condensing solvent, means for carrying the condensed solventto the rinse trough, and outlet means for transferring the machinedparts from the second drying chamber conveyor wheel.

15. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 14 in which each of theconveyor wheels comprises a pair of flat annular side walls in spacedparallel relation, a cylindrical outer wall connected between said saidwalls adjacent the outer peripheries of said side walls, and a pluralityof circumferentially spaced bafiles connected between said side wallsand extending inwardly from said outer Wall.

16. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 15 including a rotatableshaft extending across the top of the housing above the conveyor wheelsand parallel to the axes of rotation of the conveyor wheels, and aseparate endless belt extending around the outer surface of the outerwall of each of said conveyor wheels, each of said endless beltsextending around said shaft to support said conveyor wheels from saidshaft for rotation with said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS697,272 Plummer Apr. 8, 1902 1,422,309 Schweinsberg July 11, 19221,526,724 Thompson Feb. 17, 1925 1,641,367 Anderson Sept. 6, 19271,684,827 Hippenmeyer Sept. 18, 192 8 1,835,219 Hopkins Dec. 8, 19312,074,788 Holloman Mar. 23, 1937 2,101,840 Dinley Dec. 14, 19372,392,911 Gaudet Jan. 15, 1946 2,617,434 Bowman Nov. 11, 1952 2,716,989Joy Sept. 6, 1955 2,896,640 Randall July 28, 1959

